The journey of Asus RT-N13U router [User review]

I wanted to get a router for new Tikona Broadband Connection. So after a lot of research I settled for Asus RT-N13U. Later found it had an upgraded version, that was the B1 version. So settled with this. Searched eBay, and after some search I found a star seller, offering for a price of 2998 INR including shipping.
I ordered the product, and withing 4 days it was delivered.

I was so excited about this router, why shouldn't I be. There were a lot of amazing features bundled. I will comeback with the features later in this post. So I quickly unpacked the box. It was wrapped in a plastic wrap. I pulled the router out and looked for the accessories included. The box contained:

• Router RT-N13U B1
• LAN Cable
• AC Adapter
• A quick guide
• A warranty card.
• A CD with Asus Utilities

Once unpacked the router, I plugged in the AC Adapter, and the LAN Cable, connected it to my Netbook.
Powered on the unit and it got connected. I poped in the CD and, came up a Setup Wizard. I installed the Asus Utilities. Ran the Asus WPS wizard. Connected the LAN cable from my Broadband into the WAN port. Within minutes the setup was complete and the Router after a reboot was ready to go. So easy.


 

Why did I choose RT-N13U B1 Router.

I am a download freak and have an unlimited internet connection. I wanted to have a download rig which consumed minimal power and could run for days. The cost to build such a rig was around 4-5K. When browsing the internet I came across this router which had a USB port. I was wondering what the USB port was for? When I went through the features, yes this is what I was looking for.

The USB port had some good use.

• Plug in a MFD(Multi-Functional Device), a printer/scanner and the router could act as a print server. Enabling everyone on the network to share the printer and scanner.
• Plug in a 3G USB stick/dongle and convert your router into 3G router.
• Plug in a USB storage device and use it as a NAS(Network Attached Storage), use download manager and queue your download into the router for download and you can shut down your system and let the router do the downloading. Also enable DDNS and access your files from anywhere on the internet.

Amazing features aren't they.

Now I had this router for a week and all of a sudden it stopped acquiring IP from my ISP. Did a complete reset, but it did not work. So thought it was an issue with the firmware. So flashed the firmware downloaded from Asus site. That too did not seem to work.

I downloaded the firmware from dd-wrt. Spent hours to read the documentation. Finally time had come. Flashed the router with dd-wrt firmware. My fingers crossed hoping not to brick my router. Did a restart and to my joy, it was done. There came up the dd-wrt login page. Changed the settings, configured the router, and a restart. After a reboot I checked the WAN IP and to my horror this did not seem to work.
So thought it my a manufacturing defect and I need to revert the firmware. But now the router refused to connect. Spent 4 days searching various blogs, asking people in different forums. But nothing seems to work out. Finally I called Asus Support center and a lady after some initial diagnosis said that I'll have to visit the Support center.

Next day picked up my router, and reached the Asus support center. explained the hole scenario. The engineer there check the router and declared it dead. It was like the router went into COMA. The light were on, but no communication. So he finally agreed that it is a manufacturing deffect and will have it replaced. Since they did not have this model in stock, he ordered a replacement. The router comes with a standard 3years warranty but did not survive even for 13 days. Now I am waiting for the replacement router to arrive.

Share Internet with Adndroid Phone without a Router

Do you want to share internet with your Android Device, but don't own a Router? No worries. Here's the solution.
To accomplish this we would require a software called Maryfi. Its a free software and can be downloaded here. Once you have Maryfi downloaded, download the WiFi Virtual Adapter from Microsoft.

Now we have Maryfi and WiFi Virtual Adapter, let see the setup process.

1. Install WiFi Virtual Adapter
2. Install Maryfi
3. Once done open Network Sharing Center from Control Panel. From the right pane open Change Adapter Settings.
4. Select the adapter that has internet connection. In my case I use USB Data Card. 
5. Right Click on the adapter and select properties. Open the Sharing Tab

Adapter Properties

6. Check the Allow Other network users to connect.

7. Next select the Virtual WiFi Adapter from the drop down list. You can determine the Virtual Adapter from the above picture. In this case it would be "Wireless Network Connection 2".

8. Now once the above procedure is done. Run Maryfi.
9. Give a name to your Wireless Hotspot. Setup a Password.

Once done, click on Start Hotspot button. and you should be able to see the Hotspot on other devices.


I am able to connect to the internet on my Galaxy551. It supports Android 2.2

Hope this tutorial help. Please share your views. Happy surfing.

Did you know? You can download Facebook Account for backup.

Today I was buzzing around Facebook, and I found a pretty cool feature... Download your Information.

Let me take you through the steps on how to download your account.

Log-In into your Facebook account.
Go to Account >> Account Settings



Under My Account>> Settings, scroll down to section "Dowwnload Your Information"

Now you'll be presented with a Verify Password Screen, enter your password and continue.



Once you are authenticated you'll be taken to the page as below. Hit the download button and you'll get a message that your information is being collected and will send an email once the download is ready.

 What next?You will receive an email with the download link, just click on the link and download your account in a zip file. Isn't it cool. Have a look at some of the pages from the downloaded info.

Facebook Profile Page-Local Copy

Facebook Wall Post-Local Copy.

3G Data Card to Wifi - 3G Router

Hi Friends,

Lately I have been seeing questions from users regarding sharing internet using a 3G Data Card to connect multiple devices. So I thought let me give a heads up to the users looking for a solution.

In today's market there are lots of different solutions available. Lets look at them one by one.

1. 3G Routers from service providers like Tata.

• It has some features like
  
• TATA Photon Wi-Fi can support sharing internet with up to 5 users/devices simultaneously on the go
• The Router has a slim and compact design unlike many other bulky Wi-Fi devices that are currently available in the market. This makes it extremely convenient to carry in a pocket!
• You can create a portable hotspot anytime, anywhere
• Comes with a portable and rechargeable Li-ion Battery.
• For more details visit http://www.tataphoton.com/tata-photon-wi-fi.aspx

2. Custom 3G Routers without modem available in stores and online


The application of such routers will be as below.

Some Features

• Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery
• Shares 3G connection or xDSL/Cable connection with network users
• Supports xDSL or cable broadband backup when 3G is not available
• Provides USB 2.0 Port for 3G/3.5G modem
• and many more.

  

3. Custom 3G Routers with modem available in stores and online

The application of such routers will be as below.

Features of NetComm MyZone Router

• Credit card sized and stylish, weighing only 77g
• With built-in 3G modem, WiFi access point, router functions and rechargeable battery
• Insert a 3G mobile broadband SIM1 card to create a personal WiFi Internet zone
• Wireless IEEE 802.11b/g for Wireless LAN speeds up to 54Mbps
• Advanced network security with built-in firewall and WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption
• 4-6 hours of battery power in operation
• USB-operated if no power point is available  - operates while battery is being charged
• Works with Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, iOS, Linux and Android
• Peak data speed: downlink 7.2 Mbps (HSDPA) / uplink 5.76 Mbps (HSUPA)
• UMTS/ HSDPA/HSUPA bands: 850/ 1900/ 2100 MHz
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE bands: 850/ 900/ 1900 /2100.

If you some more information regarding such products, please do let us all know here.

BSNL 3G - Error 619 while trying to connect to internet

Hi Friends,

I have been receiving queries about Error 619 (The connection to the remote server could not be established) on BSNL SIM while trying to connect to internet. Today I too received this error. My findings say that this error has nothing to do with your card. You get this error when the validity of your internet has expired. and there is a 0 balance on your SIM.

Error 619 in Mobile Partner

 

To overcome this error, simply refill/recharge your account. Apart from this I tried several ways to recreate this error but this seems to be the only reason. In case you have any experience dealing this error do share here.

Thanks for reading and will be back some more interesting stuff. Till then happy surfing.

Review on Huawei UMG 181 with BSNL 2G/ BSNL 3G/ Vodafone 2G

Hi Friends,

Today I received my Huawei Data that I had ordered from eBay last week.

It came in a small box not packed too nicely but that's fine. I eagerly opened up and thought of putting it to test.

Once I plugged it into my PC it was detected without any problem, Then it installed the drivers and showed up as Removable Media and CD ROM.

Once installation was complete, I used the setup from the CD-ROM to install the Mobile Partner that came with it. It was also installed successfully.

I removed the back cover and poped in my BSNL 2G SIM and plugged in the Data Card.Used Mobile Partner and changed the preference for Network Type to WCDMA preferred. The Data Card was able to register itself on BSNL's HSDPA network. Since there were profiles already setup, I did not have to fiddle with the setup of APN and Dial Up number.

Clicked on Connect and bingo it was connected in a single go.

Huawei UMG 181 Data Card:

• Retractable USB Port
• Slot for SIM and Micro SD Card
• Slot for External Antenna
• Indicators: Green(Blink) - 2G Network Available, Blue(Blink) - 3G Network Available, Green(Cont.)-Connected to 2G Network, Blue(Cont.) - Connected to 3G Network.
• Firmware Ver. : 11.100.11.00.420

Mobile Partner (Shipped Along) :

• Software Version :16.001.06.01.500 FaKiro
• Voice Call - Enabled
• Video Call - Enabled
• GPS - Supported
• Option to Control Bandwidth Usage by setting up limit.

Speed Test's


BSNL 2G

BSNL 2G

Vodafone EDGE

Vodafone EDGE

EDIT: As requested by an online friend to upload Mobile Partner shipped with this data card, I have made it available and you can download it here

Mobile Partner ver.16.001.06.01.500 FaKiro


Will post more speed results later. If you want to know anything specific to Huawei UMG 181, you can go ahead and shoot your questions, and I'll try to answer as much as possible.

Huawei UMG 181 Specifications

Hi All,

Today I ordered a data card from ebay, Huawei UMG 181. I'll be using this device with BSNL 3G.
Below are the specifications for this product.

Huawei UMG 181

SPECIFICATIONS
• Technology: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
• Frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE); 900/2100 MHz (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA)
• HSDPA data transfer speed up to 7.2Mbps
• HSUPA date transfer speed up to 2Mbps. (Can be upgraded to 5.7Mbps after firmware upgrade as per some blogs)
• Operation System: Microsoft® Windows Vista®, XP, 2000 (Plug-and-play); Apple® Mac® OS X version 10.4 or later
• Antenna: Internal Antenna /Slot for External Antenna
• USB 2.0 connectivity
• Dimensions: 2.6 x 1.0 x 0.5 inches
• Integrated microSD card slot
• Multicolor LED status indicator
• Price Rs.2499.00

I am expecting this device by Monday. Will post reviews once I recieve this device.

Please post your comments if you have had a chance to use this device.

DIY- Signal Booster/Antenna for 3G Data Cards

Hello Dear Readers,

Today I have come up with a simple way to create an Antenna/Signal Booster for your 3G Data cards. After implementing this project I found a gain of almost 10-15db.

The signal strength before implementation was -87db....

Signal Strength before implementation

now after implementation the signal strength is -69db, since the number is negative  the smaller the number the better signal.

Signal Strength after implementation

So lets begin and build a signal booster antenna.

Material Required:

1. An empty plastic bottle, You can use an empty bottle from Pepsi, Coke, or any drink of your choice. 
2. A scissor
3. Some Aluminum foil.(You can find some in your kitchen)
4. A Cello Tape
5. An USB Male-Female extension cable (as long as you wish).

Data Card, Male Female USB Extension cable

Lets begin constructing out antenna.

• Cut the plastic bottle in a shape as shown below.

Bottle With the Cut and Aluminum Foil Attached.

• Now you can either paste or staple the Aluminum Foil inside the bottle as shown above.
• Once done insert the the data card inside the bottle, and use the extension cable to connect your data card to your system.
• The end result would be as shown below.

Antenna/Signal Booster

 Once done connect the data card to your PC and check for signal strength. Move the the antenna as required to get a maximum gain.
It might not look so cool, but the results are cool. You can put in your creativity and make it look cool as well.

I hope you enjoy building one of your own and find it helpful.

Please do share your experience and any ideas you might have to improve this project, and I'll happy to consider some great ideas.

Thank You !

Unlock and use BSNL Teracom Data Card with other service providers

Dear Friends,

Due to security reasons, I had to remove this post. 

Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

How to create Profile in Mobile Partner Dashboard.

Hello,

I recently received a question from an internet friend on creating a Profile in Mobile Partner Dashboard used by Huawei Data Cards. So thought why not let everybody know.

You can also download Mobile Partner from here

Now assuming you have Mobile Partner open, goto Tools>>Option

Then follow the steps below.

1. click on the Profile Management in the left pane.
2. Click New to create a new blank Profile.
3. Give a profile name(Anything you like).
4. In APN group select static and the text box below becomes active. Type in the APN
5. In the Authenticaton key in the Access Number, usually *99*1#, sometimes this number tends not to work so you can also try using *99***1#.
6. Click on save.
7. Click on default to set this as your default profile.

Thats all and you are ready to rock.

Sollution to slow browsing/surfing  speed problem:

If you are facing slow browsing speed problem, you can solve this by changing DNS server. I have a blogged  about a tool used to change DNS here. Alternative to this you can setup DNS server in Mobile Partner itself.

In profile Management once you create the profile, click on Edit >> Advance>> DNS Settings. Choose static and key in the following DNS server. 

1. 8.8.8.8
2. 8.8.8.4

These are google public DNS and they will help increase your browsing speed by reducing ping time.

Below are the list of some APN's I know. You can also help me update APN please post you comment and I'll have them updated.

APN

1. BSNL - bsnlnet
2. Idea - imis/internet
3. Airtel - airtelgprs.com
4. Tata Docomo - ??
5. Aircell - ??

I hope this post helps, if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Thanks, and have a good time!

Increase browsing speed on BSNL 3G by changing DNS

Hi Friends,

Since I got my BSNL 3G connection, I have been getting sufficient download speed however when I try to browse something, It takes years to load a page. So thought why not seek help from my friend Google. The reason I found for slow speed was ping time, when I check through speedtest.net it come's to 400ms. and some even worse. After a lot of googling I found a solution that If I change my DNS server to Google DSN or any DNS that is faster, it would help. So I changed and was amazed to see a huge difference.

I thought why not share it with the rest of the world. Here let me show you how I did that and what tools were used.

I found a free tool while searching named DNS Jumper. You can also download it from here.

Once you download all you have to do is,

1. Select you 3G connection.
2. Select a free DSN service from the drop down.
3. and Click Aply DNS to change.

Thats All!

I personally love this tool it changes DNS in a snap. Now you might be thinking why I use this tool why not manually change it. Yes, I did that too but once you reboot your machine the DNS goes back to Auto selection.
Using this tool saves me the hassle to manually going and changing it.

This tool also has a feature that I love, It pings all the DNS and selects the shortest time for you. Isn't it great.

Ok, seems its getting boring, so download the tool follow the instructions on their website and start browsing.

Hope you'll enjoy this. Please leave me a comment if you have any questions and I'll be glad to help.